Nonetheless this performance proves that United need to step up their game a lot if they are to finish in the top four places. Let us look at how the players performed on the night:

Daley Blind's late stunner saved United from suffering their fifth defeat of the season. Despite escaping the defeat, United were poor throughout the game. The Reds found it difficult to get back to their usual playing style in the first half.

They however improved the game after West Ham took the lead. Nonetheless this performance proves that United need to step up their game a lot if they are to finish in the top four places. Let us look at how the players performed on the night:

West Ham United

Adrian - 7/10

He was hardly tested by United's expensive attackers. He did a good job whenever he was called into action.

Carl Jenkinson - 6/10

The Arsenal loanee looked comfortable in defending. He stood tall when he was called for defending. However, he failed to offer much on the attacking front.

James Tomkins - 7/10

He formed a great partnership with his teammate and looked soild at the back. He could have had a goal in the first half if not for De Gea's brilliance.

Cheikhou Kouyate - 8/10 (Man of the match)

He took his goal really well after good control of the ball in a tight area. He formed a great partnership with Tomkins and stood like a rock at the back.

Aaron Cresswell - 7/10

The English full back will not find it hard to cement a regular place at Roy Hodgson's England set-up with performances of these calibre. He was good in defence and was equally impressive in attack.

Alex Song - 7/10

He is the type of player United is missing in the middle of the park. The former Arsenal man sat in front of the defenders and offered great protection to them. He intercepted many United attacks and broke down most of their build up play.

Mark Noble - 6/10

He formed a good partnership with Song and helped the team a lot in defence. However, he failed to do much in the attacking third.

Kevin Nolan - 6/10

Just like Noble, he did a good job in the defensive front, but hardly troubled United in the attacking half. The priority for Sam Allardyce was defending however, so the manager would have been pleased with Nolan's effort.

Stewart Downing - 6/10

He was a constant threat in the attacking third. He caused many confusions in United's defence with his trademark runs. But, his final ball delivery was not at its usual best.

Diafra Sakho - 7/10

He was a constant threat for United defenders. His pace helped his team with numerous counter attacks. He also regularly closed down United players when they had possesion.

Enner Valencia - 7/10

If not for De Gea, Valencia's name would have been on the scoresheet. He was impressive in the attacking third. His work rate with the ball and without the ball kept United defenders on toes.

Substitutes

Matt Jarvis (83')

He caused a lot of confusion in United's defence after coming late on.

David De Gea of Manchester United makes a save from Enner Valencia of West Ham

Manchester United

David De Gea - 8/10

If not for him, United would have lost the match in the first half itself. He was excellent with his hands as well as his legs. It is unclear what United will do without him.

Antonio Valencia - 7/10

He offered great width for United on the right-hand side. He dribbled well with the ball and defended reasonably well. However, his final ball into the box needs to improve.

Phil Jones - 5/10

The centre-back struggled everytime the ball came into the box. He found it difficult to keep track of the physical West Ham players.

Marcos Rojo - 5/10

Just like his defensive partner, Rojo struggled everytime the ball came into the box. His blunder in the first half could have resulted in an opening goal, but Sakho's poor finall ball saved him. He however defended better than Jones on the night.

Luke Shaw - 5/10

Shaw was focused more on defending rather than attack in the first half. However, he came forward more after the break. However, he was sent-off in the end for two deserved yellow cards.

Daley Blind - 7/10

Like against West Bromwich Albion, the Dutchman scored an injury time equaliser to save United's blushes. He otherwise did reasonably well in the middle of the park.

Wayne Rooney - 6/10

It wasn't one of the best games for the English forward, nonetheless he kept the ball ticking well in the middle of the park and defended well. However, he contributed little in attack.

Adnan Januzaj - 5/10

The young Belgian struggled in the middle of the park. His passing was neither good nor did he help his team much in defending. He was rightly taken off in the second half.

Angel Di Maria - 6/10

The British record signing looked lively without causing any threat in the attacking half. His final balls was not very good, and neither was his shooting accurate.

Radamel Falcao – 4/10 (Flop of the match)

With performances of this calibre, it is unlikely United will make his lucrative loan deal into a permanent one. He was anonymous throughout the game and missed a sitter in the second half.

Robin Van Persie - 6.5/10

Despite not scoring, the Dutchman had a good game. He played well as United's focal point up front. His link-up play was good. He could have had an assist if Falcao had been more clinical.

Substitutes

Maroune Fellaini (72') - 6/10

It was surprising to see United not start the match with the big Belgian. Nonetheless he did what the manager asked him to do after coming on as a substitue by being a nuisance in the attacking third with his big physical presence.